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2015–16 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team

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2015–16 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball
ConferenceBig Ten Conference
Record15–19 (5–13 Big Ten)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
MVPMalcolm Hill
Captains
  • Tracy Abrams
  • Malcolm Hill
  • Kendrick Nunn
  • Jaylon Tate
Home arenaState Farm Center
Prairie Capital Convention Center
Seasons
2015–16 Big Ten Conference men's basketball standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   PCT W   L   PCT
No. 14 Indiana 15 – 3   .833 27 – 8   .771
No. 2 Michigan State † 13 – 5   .722 29 – 6   .829
No. 18 Maryland 12 – 6   .667 27 – 9   .750
No. 12 Purdue 12 – 6   .667 26 – 9   .743
No. 25 Iowa 12 – 6   .667 22 – 11   .667
Wisconsin 12 – 6   .667 22 – 13   .629
Ohio State 11 – 7   .611 21 – 14   .600
Michigan 10 – 8   .556 23 – 13   .639
Northwestern 8 – 10   .444 20 – 12   .625
Penn State 7 – 11   .389 16 – 16   .500
Nebraska 6 – 12   .333 16 – 18   .471
Illinois 5 – 13   .278 15 – 19   .441
Minnesota 2 – 16   .111 11 – 20   .355
Rutgers 1 – 17   .056 7 – 25   .219
† 2016 Big Ten tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

The 2015–16 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team represented the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign in the 2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Led by fourth year head coach John Groce, the Illini played their home games at State Farm Center and were members of the Big Ten Conference. In November 2015, the Prairie Capital Convention Center in Springfield, Illinois hosted Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball for five games while renovations to the State Farm Center were completed.[1] They finished the season 15–19, 5–13 in Big Ten play to finish in 12th place. The Illini defeated Minnesota and Iowa to advance to the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament, where they lost to Purdue.

Previous season

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The Fighting Illini finished the 2014-15 Season with an overall record of 19–14, 9–9 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for seventh place. They lost in the second round of the Big Ten tournament to Michigan. They were invited to the NIT where they lost in the first round to Alabama.

Offseason

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Departures

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Name Number Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes
Ahmad Starks 3 G 5'9" 170 RS Senior Chicago, IL Graduated & pro for Eco Örebro
Aaron Cosby 11 G 6'3" 205 RS Junior Louisville, KY Graduated & transferred to Western Kentucky
Ryan Schmidt 14 G 6'0" 180 Senior Bloomington, IL Graduated
Rayvonte Rice 24 G 6'4" 230 RS Senior Champaign, IL Graduated & pro for Tezenis Verona
Austin Colbert 31 F 6'9" 200 Sophomore Chesapeake, VA Transferred to Old Dominion
Nnanna Egwu 32 C 6'11" 250 Senior Chicago, IL Graduated & pro for Erie BayHawks

Incoming transfer students

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Darius Paul was immediately eligible to play during the 15-16 season due to the junior college student transfer exception rules of the NCAA. While overseas on Illinois' preseason European trip, Paul was arrested in Deauville, France on August 14, 2015 and charged with vandalism, public intoxication and resisting arrest.[2] Head coach John Groce later dismissed Paul from the Illinois basketball team on August 21, 2015.[3]

Khalid Lewis and Mike Thorne Jr. are immediately eligible to play during the 15-16 season due to the graduate student transfer exception rules of the NCAA. Kipper Nichols was granted release of his scholarship from Tulane on September 22, 2015. He will join Illinois before the spring 2016 semester, and will be ineligible to play as a redshirt transfer until the spring of 2017.[4][5]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Khalid Lewis[6]
PG 		Trenton, NJ Trenton Catholic Academy /
Delaware / La Salle 		6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Aug 8, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:2/5 stars
Kipper Nichols[4]
SF 		Lakewood, OH St. Edward / Tulane 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Nov 11, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Darius Paul[7]
PF 		Gurnee, IL Warren Township HS / Western Michigan /
Lamar State College–Port Arthur 		6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Nov 12, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars
Mike Thorne Jr.[8]
C 		Fayetteville, NC Trinity Christian School / Charlotte 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Apr 18, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals: N/A   247Sports: N/A    ESPN:3/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

2015 recruiting class

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On March 5, 2015 Illinois signee Jalen Coleman-Lands was named one of 26 high school seniors who participated in the Jordan Brand Classic on April 17, 2015, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.[9] Coleman-Lands is the second Illini to be selected to play in the Jordan Classic, joining Dee Brown who played for the Red team in 2002.[10]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Jalen Coleman-Lands
PG/SG 		Indianapolis, IN La Lumiere (IN) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Sep 23, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 87
Aaron Jordan
SG 		Plainfield, IL Plainfield East (IL) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Jan 4, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 85
D. J. Williams
SF 		Chicago, IL Simeon (IL) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Nov 5, 2013 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 88
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 11   Rivals: 12  247Sports: 10  ESPN: 15
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Illinois 2015 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  • "2015 Illinois Basketball Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  • "ESPN Recruiting Nation Basketball". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  • "Illinois 2015 Basketball Commits". 247sports.com. Retrieved March 19, 2015.

Roster

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2015–16 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year Previous school Hometown
SF 0 D. J. Williams 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Fr Simeon High School Chicago, IL
PG 1 Jaylon Tate (C) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Jr Simeon High School Chicago, IL
SF 2 Kipper Nichols Current redshirt 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Fr St. Edward High School Cleveland, OH
PG 3 Khalid Lewis 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 185 lb (84 kg) GS Trenton Catholic Academy/La Salle University Trenton, NJ
SG 5 Jalen Coleman-Lands 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 160 lb (73 kg) Fr La Lumiere School Indianapolis, IN
PG 10 Mike LaTulip (W) Current redshirt 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Sr Prospect High School Arlington Heights, IL
PF 12 Leron Black Injured (S) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) So White Station High School Memphis, TN
PG 13 Tracy Abrams Injured (C) Current redshirt 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) GS Mount Carmel High School Chicago, IL
G/F 21 Malcolm Hill (C) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Jr Belleville High School-East Belleville, IL
C 22 Maverick Morgan 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 250 lb (113 kg) Jr Springboro High School Springboro, OH
SG 23 Aaron Jordan 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 170 lb (77 kg) Fr East High School Plainfield, IL
SG 25 Kendrick Nunn (C/S) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jr Simeon High School Chicago, IL
C 33 Mike Thorne Jr. Injured Current redshirt 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 270 lb (122 kg) RS Sr Trinity Christian/UNC-Charlotte Fayetteville, NC
F 35 Darius Paul (S) 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 220 lb (100 kg) RS Sr Warren Township High School/Lamar State College–Port Arthur Gurnee, IL
F/C 43 Michael Finke 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 220 lb (100 kg) RS Fr Centennial High School Champaign, IL
G 44 Alex Austin (W) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 185 lb (84 kg) RS Jr Mount Carmel High School/Eastern Illinois Chicago, IL
SF 45 Cameron Liss (W) 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 200 lb (91 kg) So Glenbrook North High School Northbrook, IL
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: January 11, 2016

Depth chart

[edit]
Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2
F/C Michael Finke Maverick Morgan
G/F Malcolm Hill D.J. Williams Cameron Liss
SG Kendrick Nunn Alex Austin
SG Aaron Jordan Jalen Coleman-Lands
PG Jaylon Tate Khalid Lewis

Updated 2015-12-10[11][non-primary source needed]

Regular season

[edit]

Injuries

[edit]

Coach Groce announced on July 3 that incoming freshman Jalen Coleman-Lands had suffered a stress fracture and would be held out from basketball activities indefinitely. The injury forced Coleman-Lands to miss the team's European exhibition trip at the beginning of August.[12] However, Coleman-Lands was cleared for basketball activities at the end of September and played in the team's exhibition game against the University of Illinois at Springfield on November 8.[13]

On July 28, Coach Groce announced that redshirt graduate student point guard Tracy Abrams had suffered an Achilles tendon rupture during summer workouts which would cause him to miss the entire 2015-16 season. The injury forced Abrams to use his second medical redshirt so he can return for the 2016-17 season for a sixth year of eligibility.[14]

On October 8, it was announced that sophomore Leron Black would miss 4–6 weeks after having surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his knee. Black returned to the lineup during the win against North Dakota State on November 15, 2015.[15][16][non-primary source needed] However, in the game against North Dakota State, Black suffered a contusion on his repaired knee. After sitting out games against Yale and University of Illinois at Chicago, Coach Groce announced on December 17, 2015 that Black would be out indefinitely due to persistent swelling and soreness in his knee.[17]

On October 20, Coach Groce announced that junior Kendrick Nunn would miss about 8 weeks after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb.[18]

During the first half of the season opener loss to North Florida, junior point guard Jaylon Tate suffered a dislocated finger that required surgery later that evening.[19]

Both Nunn and Tate returned from injuries during a win against UAB in Niceville, Florida.[20]

During the first half of a loss to Iowa State, graduate transfer Mike Thorne, Jr. suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee. He will be out indefinitely.[21]

Schedule and results

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Source:[22]

Date
time, TV 		Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
city, state
European trip
Aug 11, 2015*
1:00 pm 		Waregem W 68–63  –
  16 – Black   14 – Black   2 – Tied  Sportcentrum de Treffer (417)
Waregem, Belgium
Aug 12, 2015*
 Netherlands national team L 54–81  –
  10 – Tied   8 – Black   5 – Tate  Topsportcentrum Rotterdam (1,500)
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Aug 15, 2015*
1:00 pm 		Bretigny Select W 95–73  –
  15 – Black   10 – Black   6 – Tate  Ecole Élémentaire Joliot Curie Gymnase (544)
Brétigny-sur-Orge, France
Aug 17, 2015*
7:45:00 pm 		AMW Select W 96–77  –
  21 – Black   15 – Black   6 – Tate  Halle Georges Carpentier (310)
Paris, France
Exhibition
Nov 8, 2015*
2:00 pm 		Illinois-Springfield W 104–69  –
  20 – Coleman-Lands   9 – Thorne   4 – Tied  Prairie Capital Convention Center (5,833)
Springfield, IL
Non-conference regular season
Nov 13, 2015*
7:00 pm, BTN+ 		North Florida L 81–93  0–1
  25 – Thorne   14 – Thorne   5 – Hill  Prairie Capital Convention Center (5,186)
Springfield, IL
Nov 15, 2015*
2:00 pm, ESPN3 		North Dakota State W 80–74[16]  1–1
  21 – Thorne   8 – Thorne   5 – Hill  Prairie Capital Convention Center (5,332)
Springfield, IL
Nov 18, 2015*
6:00 pm, FS1 		at Providence
Gavitt Tipoff Games 		L 59–60  1–2
  17 – Coleman-Lands   11 – Hill   4 – Austin  Dunkin' Donuts Center (8,069)
Providence, RI
Nov 21, 2015*
7:30 pm, BTN 		Chattanooga
Emerald Coast Classic 		L 77–81  1–3
  25 – Hill   11 – Thorne   4 – Lewis  Prairie Capital Convention Center 
Springfield, IL
Nov 23, 2015*
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		Chicago State
Emerald Coast Classic 		W 82–79  2–3
  17 – Finke   9 – Thorne   7 – Hill  Prairie Capital Convention Center (5,023)
Springfield, IL
Nov 27, 2015*
8:30 pm, CBSSN 		vs. UAB
Emerald Coast Classic semifinals 		W 72–58  3–3
  18 – Nunn   8 – Thorne, Jr.   6 – Hill  Northwest Florida State College (2,222)
Niceville, FL
Nov 28, 2015*
6:15:00 pm, CBSSN 		vs. No. 4 Iowa State
Emerald Coast Classic championship game 		L 73–84  3–4
  20 – Hill   8 – Black   5 – Lewis  Northwest Florida State College (2,222)
Niceville, FL
Dec 2, 2015*
8:15:00 pm, ESPN2 		Notre Dame
ACC–Big Ten Challenge 		L 79–84  3–5
  19 – Hill   7 – Tied   6 – Tate  State Farm Center (14,953)
Champaign, IL
Dec 5, 2015*
2:00 pm, ESPN3 		Western Carolina W 80–68  4–5
  27 – Nunn   6 – Finke   3 – Tate  State Farm Center (11,455)
Champaign, IL
Dec 9, 2015*
7:00 pm, ESPN3 		Yale W 69–65[11]  5–5
  28 – Nunn   5 – Hill   7 – Hill  State Farm Center (11,648)
Champaign, IL
Dec 12, 2015*
1:00 pm, ESPN3 		vs. UIC W 83–79  6–5
  22 – Hill   5 – Tied   8 – Lewis  United Center (5,151)
Chicago, IL
Dec 19, 2015*
2:00 pm, ESPN3 		South Dakota W 91–79  7–5
  34 – Hill   11 – Hill   6 – Lewis  State Farm Center (11,714)
Champaign, IL
Dec 23, 2015*
6:00 pm, ESPN2 		vs. Missouri
Braggin' Rights 		W 68–63  8–5
  21 – Hill   11 – Nunn   4 – Lewis  Scottrade Center (14,456)
St. Louis, MO
Big Ten regular season
Dec 30, 2015
2:00 pm, ESPN2 		Michigan L 68–78  8–6
(0–1) 		 23 – Nunn   8 – Finke   4 – Tate  State Farm Center (13,974)
Champaign, IL
Jan 3, 2016
4:00 pm, BTN 		at Ohio State L 73–75  8–7
(0–2) 		 14 – Tied   7 – Tied   5 – Tate  Value City Arena (12,798)
Columbus, OH
Jan 7, 2016
8:00 pm, ESPN 		at No. 5 Michigan State L 54–79  8–8
(0–3) 		 15 – Morgan   7 – Finke   2 – Tied  Breslin Student Events Center (14,797)
East Lansing, MI
Jan 10, 2016
5:00 pm, BTN 		No. 20 Purdue W 84–70  9–8
(1–3) 		 30 – Hill   8 – Hill   3 – Tied  State Farm Center (12,246)
Champaign, IL
Jan 16, 2016
1:30 pm, BTN 		Nebraska L 67–78  9–9
(1–4) 		 17 – Hill   5 – Nunn   7 – Hill  State Farm Center (12,510)
Champaign, IL
Jan 19, 2016
6:00 pm, ESPN 		at Indiana
Rivalry 		L 69–103  9–10
(1–5) 		 20 – Hill   9 – Thorne, Jr.   5 – Tate  Assembly Hall (17,472)
Bloomington, IN
Jan 23, 2016
7:30 pm, BTN 		at Minnesota W 76–71 OT 10–10
(2–5) 		 28 – Hill   16 – Finke   6 – Tate  Williams Arena (11,026)
Minneapolis, MN
Jan 28, 2016
8:00 pm, BTN 		Ohio State L 63–68 OT 10–11
(2–6) 		 24 – Nunn   8 – Hill   3 – Tate  State Farm Center (13,263)
Champaign, IL
Jan 31, 2016
6:30 pm, BTN 		Wisconsin L 55–63  10–12
(2–7) 		 22 – Hill   4 – Morgan   2 – Tied  State Farm Center (13,609)
Champaign, IL
Feb 3, 2016
5:30 pm, BTN 		at Rutgers W 110–101 3OT 11–12
(3–7) 		 34 – Hill   14 – Hill   8 – Lewis  The RAC (4,500)
Piscataway, NJ
Feb 7, 2016
12:00 pm, BTN 		No. 5 Iowa
Rivalry 		L 65–77  11–13
(3–8) 		 17 – Coleman-Lands   8 – Hill   4 – Hill  State Farm Center (13,849)
Champaign, IL
Feb 13, 2016
7:00 pm, BTN 		at Northwestern
Rivalry 		L 56–58  11–14
(3–9) 		 13 – Nunn   13 – Hill   8 – Hill  Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117)
Evanston, IL
Feb 16, 2016
8:00 pm, BTN 		Rutgers W 82–66  12–14
(4–9) 		 22 – Hill   10 – Hill   8 – Lewis  State Farm Center (11,323)
Champaign, IL
Feb 21, 2016
6:30 pm, BTN 		at Wisconsin L 60–69  12–15
(4–10) 		 20 – Hill   7 – Hill   4 – Lewis  Kohl Center (17,287)
Madison, WI
Feb 25, 2016
8:00 pm, ESPN 		No. 18 Indiana
Rivalry 		L 47–74  12–16
(4–11) 		 21 – Coleman-Lands   4 – Nunn   2 – Coleman-Lands  State Farm Center (12,857)
Champaign, IL
Feb 28, 2016
7:00 pm, BTN 		Minnesota W 84–71  13–16
(5–11) 		 25 – Nunn   7 – Hill   5 – Hill  State Farm Center (12,008)
Champaign, IL
Mar 3, 2016
6:00 pm, ESPN 		at No. 14 Maryland L 55–81  13–17
(5–12) 		 21 – Morgan   10 – Morgan   6 – Tate  Xfinity Center (17,950)
College Park, MD
Mar 6, 2016
11 am, BTN 		at Penn State L 79–86 2OT 13–18
(5–13) 		 39 – Hill   13 – Hill   2 – Williams  Bryce Jordan Center (9,104)
University Park, PA
Big Ten tournament
Mar 9, 2016
3:30 pm, ESPN2 		(12) vs. (13) Minnesota
First round 		W 85–52  14–18
  17 – Finke   6 – Hill   4 – Tate  Bankers Life Fieldhouse (16,528)
Indianapolis, IN
Mar 10, 2016
1:30 pm, BTN 		(12) vs. (5) No. 20 Iowa
Second round 		W 68–66  15–18
  17 – Coleman-Lands   7 – Morgan   5 – Hill  Bankers Life Fieldhouse (15,707)
Indianapolis, IN
Mar 11, 2016
1:30 pm, ESPN 		(12) vs. (4) No. 13 Purdue
Quarterfinals 		L 58–89  15–19
  17 – Morgan   7 – Hill   2 – Tied  Bankers Life Fieldhouse (18,355)
Indianapolis, IN
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Central Time.

References

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  1. ^ "Prairie Capital Convention Center to Host Illini in November 2015". University of Illinois DIA. October 30, 2014. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  2. ^ "Illinois F Darius Paul suspended after arrest on team trip in France". Sports Illustrated. August 16, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  3. ^ "Illinois forward Darius Paul dismissed after arrest in France". ESPN. August 21, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Bielik, Tim (November 11, 2015). "Former St. Edward basketball star Kipper Nichols signs with Illinois". Plain Deal Publishing. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  5. ^ Bielik, Tim (September 22, 2015). "Former St. Edward basketball star Kipper Nichols granted release from Tulane scholarship". Plain Deal Publishing. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  6. ^ Rothstein, Jon (August 8, 2015). "La Salle's Khalid Lewis commits to Illinois, immediately eligible". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 10, 2015.
  7. ^ Enterprise, By The (November 12, 2014). "LSC-PA Seahawk Paul intends to play for Illini". The Beaumont Enterprise. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  8. ^ Ryan, Shannon (April 18, 2015). "Illini land Charlotte transfer Mike Thorne, Jr". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  9. ^ Jackson, Marcus (March 5, 2015). "Coleman-Lands selected for Jordan game". News-Gazette. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  10. ^ "All-Time Jordan Brand All-Americans". Jordan Brand Classic. 2015. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  11. ^ a b "Game 10 box score". University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  12. ^ Duber, Vinnie (July 3, 2015). "Illini's Jalen Coleman-Lands sidelined with stress fracture". CSN Chicago. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  13. ^ Jackson, Marcus (October 11, 2015). "Coleman-Lands gains new view after injury". News-Gazette. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  14. ^ "Illinois PG Tracy Abrams to miss second straight season". Sports Illustrated. July 28, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  15. ^ "Illini look to cover for Leron Black, who will undergo meniscus surgery". ESPN. October 8, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  16. ^ a b "Men's Basketball vs North Dakota State on 11/15/2015". University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  17. ^ "Black out indefinitely". News Gazette. December 17, 2015. Retrieved December 18, 2015.
  18. ^ Ryan, Shannon (October 20, 2015). "Illini guard Kendrick Nunn out eight weeks with thumb injury". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  19. ^ "Illinois point guard Jaylon Tate undergoes finger surgery". ESPN. November 14, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  20. ^ Jackson, Marcus (November 27, 2015). "Nunn sparkles in return". News Gazette. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  21. ^ Jackson, Marcus (November 30, 2015). "Thorne tears meniscus". News Gazette. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  22. ^ "2015-16 Men's Basketball Schedule".
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